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Belgian Shepherd

This is one of my favourite dog breeds and it's also one that I think could pose a serious challenge to the border collie in the agility ring.  The fastest weave we've ever seen was by a groenedael.  I wish we could have filmed it so that we could see it again.  The dog was so quick that if you blinked you'd missed it.

Belgian  shepherds come in four varieties and they are distinguished by their coat type as shown below.
 

Malinois

Groenendael

Laekenois

Tervueren

In the UK they are all shown together in the same class and they are not treated as separate breeds.  They all stand at around 22 to 26ins (56 to 66cm).  They weigh 61 to 63lb (27.5 to 28.5kg).

They are intelligent dogs and not aggressive, although they may be a little wary of strangers.  This isn't nervousness or fear but simply part and parcel of their breeding.  It means that they may be a little reserved and aloof when they don't know someone as opposed to being "In your face" and "licky soppy."  A friend and neighbour who has judged this breed said,
  "When you approach a Belgian to judge you have to go straight in to them.  It's no good dithering or you'll make them unsettled.  They need confident and positive handling."

Most respondents to the survey found them easy or fairly easy to train, but if you like the look of the Belgian shepherd and you've never had one before please speak to the breeder about their requirements before buying a puppy.  They need a good deal of socialisation when they are young and you may not be able to go out to work and leave them on their own for hours.  Belgian shepherd handlers have given some comments below and I've included some website links for more information.
 

Comments  from Belgian Shepherd owners and handlers   

Karen:
Oh My Goodness!! I have just seen Malinois! I have, or so I thought, a collie x alsatian as that was the breed type on her card from the Dogs Home. I got her aged 10 weeks, and everyone has always mistook her for a Belgian. She is identical in looks and build to Malinos although she only weighs 15kg and is 16 month old! I am just amazed at the likeness! Wish I could put her picture on here to show you.
 

Gill Vann - BELGIAN SHEPHERD (GROEN) X GSD
"My last dog was a large GSD he was steady but slow, my cross has the gsd ability with the speed and lightness of a bsd, and although she is too young to compete(17 months) she is showing a great potential at training."

Belgian Tervueren handler:
"Belgians have a huge sense of humour and can have a "Belgian moment" which lovers of the breed will understand. They are very sensitive physically but respond beautifully to intelligent, reward based training and are very agile, bright and fast so I'd say they are excellent agility dogs but only for the right owner who is prepared to understand them."

Websites

The Working Belgian Shepherd Dog Society
This very comprehensive site will give you all the information you need to know about the working Belgian Shepherd.  There are sections on agility, breed showing, heelwork to music, obedience, KC Good Citizens, flyball and more.  It's packed with information and photographs and well worth a visit

Belgian Shepherd Dog of Great Britain Association
This site has all sorts of general information on the Belgian Shepherd plus some more detailed information on individual dogs and their hip scores etc.

Video clips

The following video clips give a good idea of the speed and agility of the typical Belgian shepherd.  What I've noticed throughout the clips is the attentiveness of this breed to the handler.

In the clip below the handler is not a fast runner but watch the way in which she places herself so that her tervueren can easily find the next obstacle on the course.

Here's a groenendael in going hell for leather round a course.  Again there's the attentiveness to the handler.  Look at the weave in the second clip, also look at the way the dog goes back to the A-frame contact that it missed.   It's not perfect but this is a dog to die for and if I didn't have to go to work I'd be on my way choose a puppy now.